JeremyBlum.com

I get asked all the time to explain hard drive RAID (redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks).

So I figured I would make it the topic of discussion for my vlog this week. The description ended up taking longer then expected though, so I broke it up into three parts: Hardware vs. Software RAID, Standard RAID, and Nested RAID.

Watch them all in this convenient youtube playlist!

I’m starting a Vlog!  It will be called TechBits.  The idea will be to informally answer tech/computer questions, talk about the technology industry, etc.  Below is the introduction video to the series.  Be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel! :)

The Description that goes with the video:

TechBits will be my new Vlog. Please comment to let me know what I should change/improve, etc.

Stuff Mentioned in my Video:
ZACH LYNN (CO-CREATOR Of ULTIMATECOMPUTERS.NET)
http://www.youtube.com/zlynn1990
http://www.zachlynn.com

ULTIMATECOMPUTERS (A COMMUNITY FOR COMPUTER-BUILDERS AND TECH ENTHUSIASTS)
http://www.ultimatecomputers.net
http://www.cafepress.com/UComputers (this is where you can buy the shirt I was wearing)

DEEPNOTE (A BOT MADE BY MYSELF AND FRIENDS THAT CAN PLAY GUITAR HERO)
http://www.mechanizedrock.com
Also check out the DeepNote videos in my youtube Profile

MY BLOG (JUST RANDOM STUFF THAT I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, MOSTLY WHAT I’M UP TO)
http://www.jeremyblum.com

MY TWITTER FEED (FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER; THE FEED IS ALSO DISPLAYED ON THE SIDE OF MY BLOG)
http://www.twitter.com/sciguy14

MY YOUTUBE PROFILE (DUH…AND DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!)
http://www.youtube.com/sciguy14

Well, it’s not like we’ve released a line of clothing, but we do have a t-shirt and a mug that should allow you to display your geekdom proudly.  I’ve already ordered the shirt, and you can check out some awesome modeling shots of me below ;)

You can go order them securely via CafePress.com.  But act quickly!  There are limited quantities.*

Some action Shots:

view slideshow

*There aren’t really limited quantities

On August 22nd I’ll be heading up to Ithaca, NY to start my college education at Cornell University’s Engineering college.  So what do you think the one thing that stressed be out about college was?  The workload?  The pressure?  The upperclassmen?  Nope.  My one worry was this: How will I survive without a powerful computer!?  The problem is that I won’t, which I why a recently built a new desktop to take with me up to college…in addition to by Dell D630 Laptop.  If you are anything like my parents, you’re probably thinking, “Why do you need such a massive powerful computer!?”  It’s who I am, people.  I’ve got a need for processor speed.  So without further adeiu, I introduce you to my newest speed machine:

I built my new computer this week!  It’s quite nice–a quad core processor, GTX260 video card, 750i motherboard, 800W PSU, etc…  I got a few nice videos out of it as well: A tutorial on applying thermal paste, a review of the case, and a review of the PSU.  I’m still editing an “Ultimate Computer 5″ video, and I’d like to do a review on the Samsung ToC 22″ monitor as well.

Check out the videos:

Case Review:

Power Supply Review:

Thermal Paste Application Tutorial:

Getting tired of the Guitar Hero Bot yet?  No?  Well too bad because today myself and Zach Lynn worked on our computer site, UltimateComputers.net.  We’ve done some work on the forum, added a live IRC Chat, and also began restructuring the pages to get ready for our upcoming tweaks which you can read about here:

http://www.ultimatecomputers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=675&start=0

Before building a fairly basic computer for my mother, I realized that the since I wasn’t doing anything extreme (like watercooling), this would be the ideal opportunity to make a simple instructional video for beginner computer builders. The result was an easy-to-follow 10 minute tutorial:

This is my first review that I am conducting through UltimateComputers.net. It is for the Antec P180 mini case, which I am using in a future computer build. Since I had the case anyways, I figured I would review it.

I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and now it’s finally done. Myself, and a few friends have finished building a computer completely submerged in mineral oil. Because mineral oil does not conduct electricity, computer components can be submerged in it without risk of shorting. It also helps to dissipate the heat created by the processor, and other chips. In our project, we use baby oil (mineral oil + fragrance). Visit the project page for this at ultimatecomputers.net. There is also an extensive photo gallery, available here.

I’ve upgraded my computer! My old system (ultimate computer 1) has been donated to my brother, and I will be replacing it with a watercooled beast. The specs and pictures are available in my forum post here.

And I’ve made both a montage of the build set to music, and a 20-minute instructional version for those interested in the fine-points of computer building. Both are available on ultimatecomputers.net: montage, instructional

Here is the youtube embed of the montage (The instructional version is also available on my youtube profile in 4 parts) :